Name: Creamed Spinach
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12-ounce package baby spinach, roughly chopped ((Note 1)); 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese ((Note 2)); 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream ((Note 3)); 1/4 cup diced onion or 2 tablespoons dry minced onion; 2 tablespoons salted butter; 2 cloves garlic, minced

Summary:

This thick and creamy spinach side dish can be conveniently prepared in a single pot on the stove in just 15 minutes. Cooking on the stovetop is faster than using the oven, and allows you to easily monitor the spinach's consistency.

Creamed Spinach

5 from 8 votes

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Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Yield: 2 servings

INGREDIENTS

▢ 12-ounce package baby spinach, roughly chopped (Note 1)
▢ 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese (Note 2)
▢ 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (Note 3)
▢ 1/4 cup diced onion or 2 tablespoons dry minced onion
▢ 2 tablespoons salted butter
▢ 2 cloves garlic, minced

INSTRUCTIONS

Wilt Spinach: Add spinach to large pot over medium-high heat, working in 2 batches if needed (Note 4). Stirring frequently, cook until spinach is wilted and most of liquid released by spinach has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
Cook Onions: Reduce to medium heat. Add butter and onions. Stirring occasionally, cook until butter is melted and onions are tender (if using fresh onions), a few minutes.
Add Dairy: Stir in parmesan cheese until melted, about 1 minute. Add heavy whipping cream and bring to simmer over medium-high heat. Stirring frequently, simmer until desired consistency is reached, a few minutes.
Finish & Serve: Reduce heat to low. Stir in garlic until incorporated, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve (Note 5).

NUTRITION

Makes 2 Servings

Amount Per Serving (3/4 cup):

Calories 470 (75% from fat)
Total Fat 39g	60%
Saturated Fat 27g	135%
Cholesterol 150mg	50%
Sodium 410mg	17%
Net Carb 4g
Total Carb 8.5g	3%
Dietary Fiber 4.5g	17%
Sugars 1g
Protein 12g

Vitamin A 244% · Vitamin C 54% · Calcium 41% · Iron 30%

PHOTOS

NOTES & TIPS

(1) Spinach. I use fresh baby spinach, including both leaves and stems. Frozen spinach is fine — you may need to increase the cooking time and adjust the amounts of cheese and cream to taste.

(2) Parmesan Cheese. This is finely grated parmesan that has a sandy or almost powdery texture (not shredded), available in pre-grated bags in the refrigerated section of U.S. grocery stores.

(3) Heavy Whipping Cream. If you can’t find heavy whipping cream, some readers have had success substituting with half and half. I don’t recommend non-dairy nut milks because they won’t add a creamy consistency to this dish.

(4) Pot. I use a nonstick pot 9 inches in diameter and 4 inches tall; no cooking oil needed. If your pot is not large enough to hold all of the raw spinach, work in 2 batches by wilting half of the spinach at a time.

(5) Serving. Serve creamed spinach while it’s hot, optionally topping with shaved parmesan cheese. Personally, I don’t add any salt because it tastes salty enough from the parmesan cheese and butter. Note that garlic is added last, after the sauce has simmered, so it’s slightly undercooked and more potent flavor. Creamed spinach is fantastic over grilled or baked chicken, slow cooked turkey breast, or other meat-heavy main dishes. It can also be a great side dish during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

(6) Flavor Options. This recipe makes a basic creamed spinach. To make it more interesting, you can add crispy crumbled bacon, sautéed mushrooms, various roasted nuts, or baked eggs.

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newest oldest most voted

nicole

I made this last night and not only is it super easy, but it is sooo delicious!!! It literally can’t compare to any spinach I’ve ever had. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I will be adding it to my book.

Alyson

3 letters … O.M.G!!

I think spinach will be a staple part of our diet from now on! How wonderful to start your keto journey and find such an amazing recipe! Thank you!

Tana

The above is a very good recipe that I enjoy. Here is a little twist on the recipe which I also like. Omit the onion and maybe cut back on the garlic depending on your individual taste. Add dried mustard and ground nutmeg. Yes, I know they are not the standard spices for spinach but this is very good! You don’t want to make the dry mustard and ground nutmeg taste strong, but you should be able to taste a hint of both. Hope you enjoy!

Terry V

I switched to almond milk years ago. Can it be used as a substitute to the heavy cream in this recipe?

Erica L.

I have not been able to find Stouffer’s creamed spinach in grocery stores for over a year, but after making this recipe, I will stop looking. This is excellent! Perfect for someone on the Keto diet.

Mary Hoogshagen

This is delicious! Was wonderful on a chicken sandwich using ciabatta bread. Of course, if you don’t do bread, I still think it would be good on baked or grilled chicken breast. Thanks for the recipe! ❤️

Candace

Hi, can this be made ahead of time?

Julia

Yes, that should be fine. Reheat on the stovetop until warmed through.

Hayley Ashcroft

Hi, just wondering is it 470 calories for the whole thing? Or per serving? I’m doing keto but calories counting aswell.

470 calories is per serving, and the recipe makes 2 servings. For more details (such as serving size), check out the section titled “Nutriton” located below the instructions.

Elizabeth

So delicious and easy

Sharon

I used frozen leaf spinach so I believe that is why I had to add additional cream. 12 ozs of fresh as opposed to 12 ozs of frozen is not the same. This was pretty good. I added a little cream cheese as well.

Dan Phillips

yes I made it and it’s incredible. Making it again tonight.

Wonderful, I’m glad you enjoyed it a lot!

Janet

Hey there , just wondering where the 1g if sugar is coming from? Also I thought Keto was NO sugar! Still learning. Thank you

Hi Janet! There’s a difference between added sugar vs sugar inherent in foods. On keto, it’s not advisable to add table sugar since they have a lot of carbs. But almost all foods contain some intrinsic sugar, including many vegetables and dairy products. That’s why there is 1g sugar per serving in this recipe. Since almost all foods contain some amount of sugar (unless they’re pure protein or pure fat), people on a keto diet try to stay under a daily limit of net carbs, which includes sugars and starches. Hope that makes sense! If you’re interested in learning more, I have an article for keto beginners: https://www.savorytooth.com/how-to-start-low-carb-diet/

Fast Creamed Spinach